Government of Canada

Common menu bar

Breadcrumb

GRADUATE STUDIES IN CANADA

A WISE CHOICE!

Canada has a first-rate education system and is building a world-class research capacity by attracting top-tier doctoral students, both at home and abroad, who will contribute positively to its economic, social and research-based growth.

Canada spends more on education as a percentage of GDP than the average Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country and its spending on education is the second highest among the G8 countries. Canada offers a stimulating environment for graduate studies thanks to the contribution of many bright and talented scientists and researchers. The country is an international leader in computer and information technologies and has a reputation for excellence in such sectors as telecommunications, transportation and engineering.

The Government of Canada, Canadian schools, universities and research centres, as well as other institutions offer numerous scholarships to international graduate students. The list below provides information on some of the main programs and key sources of information available.

Canadian Government Scholarships – Chinese students only

It is recommended that students contact the Chinese Ministry of Education and the China Scholarship Council www.csc.edu.cn for information on scholarship programs to study in Canada.

Description: CCSEP is a program designed to enhance Chinese scholars' knowledge and understanding of Canada. Awards make possible four- to 12-month periods of research in Canada, but do not involve formal enrolment at a Canadian university.

Administrator: China Scholarship Council and the Canadian Embassy in China

Fields: Preference is given to the following fields: public policy analysis and public administration, business management, economics/finance/banking, environmental protection, law, education, public health policy and management.

Eligibility: Full-time, permanent teaching or research staff and master’s or doctoral graduates from recognized universities and other institutions of higher education in mainland China. Scholars will conduct research designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of Canada.

Chinese Ministry of Education and Agriculture and Agri-foodCanada Joint Training Program for Ph.D Students

Description: The Ministry of Education of China coordinates a funding program for 20 Chinese Ph.D students to undertake 1 to 2 years of study at one of the Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) Research Centers. The Chinese government provides financial support to Chinese students, while AAFC provides professors and lab/research facilities to undertake agriculture -related research projects of mutual benefit to Canada and China.

Administrator: China Scholarship Council and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Description: The purpose of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships is to build worldclass research capacity by recruiting top-tier Canadian and international postdoctoral researchers at an internationally competitive level of funding. These prestigious twoyear fellowships worth $70,000 per year, are open to both Canadian and international researchers who have recently completed a PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree. Seventy fellowships will be awarded each year.

Administrator: Industry Canada

Fields: Social sciences and humanities, science and engineering, health and leadership skills.

Description: The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students who demonstrate a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies. This prestigious program awards 500 international and Canadian doctoral students with a scholarship valued at $50,000 per annum for up to three years.

Administrator: Industry Canada

Fields: Social sciences and humanities, science and engineering, health and leadership skills.

Description: This program provides financial support to highly qualified science and engineering graduates to gain research experience in industry while undertaking advanced studies in Canada. These scholarships aim to encourage scholars to consider research careers in industry, where they will be able to contribute to strengthening Canadian innovation.

Administrator: The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Description: This program provides promising emerging scientists and engineers with the opportunity to work with research groups or leaders in Canadian government laboratories and research institutions. Fellowships are awarded for one year with the possibility of renewal for a second and third year, at the discretion of the government department concerned.

Administrator: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Announced in November 2010, the Ontario Trillium Scholarships program will help the best doctoral students from around the world to study in Ontario.

Each Ontario Trillium Scholarship is worth $40,000 annually, renewable for a maximum of four years. 75 scholarships will be awarded each year, with the first students being offered scholarships to begin their studies in Ontario in September 2011.

Ontario universities will be responsible for selecting and awarding the Ontario Trillium Scholarships to international PhD students based on merit and program criteria.

Students interested in learning more should contact the graduate studies office of the Ontario university they wish to attend.

The Alberta Doctoral Awards for Chinese Students (ADACS) support top Chinese students to undertake PhD studies at one of Alberta’s premier research universities. Research and studies need to be focused on the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Nanotechnology, Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics, Transcriptomics or Regulomics, or research related to how these areas support the topics of Health, Bio-industries, Energy or the Environment.

Other Institutions

Canadian Universities: A number of Canadian institutions offer scholarships to international students. Information can be obtained directly through the universities’ financial aid offices. A list of institutions providing awards and scholarships to international students can be found at www.studycanada.ca/english/index.htm